Spousal Maintenance in Vermont
September 9, 2022

In Vermont, spousal maintenance — also referred to as spousal support or alimony — is an ongoing payment made by one spouse to the other, during and even after the divorce process. Spousal maintenance can be temporary or permanent, and payments are calculated based on multiple factors, including the receiving spouse’s financial need and the paying spouse’s ability to pay.

 

The need for spousal maintenance certainly doesn’t arise in every divorce, and when spousal maintenance is ordered, it is typically a temporary arrangement. Whether you are in the process of divorce and need spousal maintenance to make ends meet, or you are concerned about your need to pay spousal maintenance to your ex-spouse, the skilled family law team at Deppman Law can help.

 

Types of Spousal Maintenance in Vermont

 

Depending on your unique circumstances, a Vermont judge may order one of three types of spousal maintenance.

 

  • Temporary Support: When a lower-earning spouse requires temporary financial assistance during the divorce process, temporary support may be ordered. This type of support only lasts until the divorce has been finalized.
  • Rehabilitative Support: This type of support is typically ordered when one spouse needs financial assistance only until they obtain the training or education needed to become financially self-sufficient. Rehabilitative maintenance payments generally have a set end end date, which can be reviewed and changed if necessary. This is the most common form of spousal maintenance in Vermont.
  • Permanent Support: In rare cases, the court orders permanent support due to one spouse’s permanent inability to financially support themselves. This usually occurs when one spouse cannot work due as a result of disability or advanced age. When permanent support is ordered, it usually continues indefinitely. However, permanent support can be stopped if a review deems it no longer necessary.


How Does Vermont Determine Spousal Maintenance?

 

Although there is no specific formula for calculating the amount and type of spousal maintenance in Vermont, there are several factors that courts evaluate to reach a decision. These include:

 

  • Each spouse’s financial resources;
  • The standard of living developed during the marriage;
  • The length of the marriage;
  • The time and cost to obtain the skills and education needed for gainful employment;
  • Each spouses’s age; and
  • Each spouse’s physical and emotional health.

 

When it comes to spousal maintenance in Vermont, nothing is set in stone. For example, if ex-spouses agree to a specific arrangement, the court will approve it as long as it’s fair to both. Furthermore, although permanent and rehabilitative support orders may come to an end when the supported spouse remarries, this isn’t automatic. Whatever your circumstances, it is in your best interest to seek legal counsel if you expect to begin receiving or paying spousal maintenance.

 

Contact Deppman Law PLC Today

 

If you have questions about spousal maintenance in Vermont, the skilled family law attorneys at Deppman Law PLC can help. We will review your case, determine the most appropriate legal strategy, and ensure that you fully understand your rights and options. Contact us today for a confidential consultation and to learn more.

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